The end of the term is always a busy time of year with lots of activities going on. Please look at your diaries and pencil in the End of Year Mass, Prize-giving and Missioning of the Year 6s.

Last Thursday we had an awesome ‘Thank you Coaches’ evening. Thanks to those who were able to make it to the event and a big thanks to Catherine for organising the event. It was well enjoyed by those in attendance. Again, thanks for the fantastic support we get from you with coaching and managing.

Our Kapa Haka group performed at their absolute best on Wednesday night. All those who were present at the Ahurei were very proud of our children. There is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes, so a huge thanks to Koro Tini and Sylvia Dunkley who prepared our children for the festival. This is Koro’s tenth year as our Kapa haka tutor; we are indeed blessed to have such a talented man tutoring our tamariki.

We had a lovely Advent Liturgy on Thursday, thanks to Bernie Hall and Rooms 13 and 15. Just a reminder that our End of Year Mass is December 14th at 9am. It is a time we give thanks for the awesome year that we have had. It is also a chance to farewell our Year 6's.

Our children had their Student Celebration Conferences with their parents over the week. It was great to see you come in and see what your child had done this year.

Our Manuka team travelled to Hamilton Zoo yesterday. They have had a number of cake stalls, a pizza day and some generous parents donated some money towards the transport. The children had an awesome day. Thanks to those parents who supported this trip.

Last night a number of our flippa ball teams battled it out in the flippaball finals. Four of our teams made it to the finals. Jaguars won the Year 5 & 6 Div 1 Final (against St Mary’s Cheetahs) , Tigers won the Junior Championships final and the Leopards won the Junior Plate final. A great night finals night for St Mary’s. Thanks to the coaches and parents who helped with the teams.

All the best to our Touch teams playing tonight. Nine of our eleven teams have semi-finals.

Our Year 6's have a retreat to look forward to tomorrow,and we hope they have a blessed day. While they are absent the Year 5's are involved in a Leadership day.

Our Christmas decorations are starting to go up around the school this week. I invite children to write to Santa Claus again this year and for those children who write a letter, they will get a reply from him. Santa’s letterboxes will be scattered around the school again. Children’s younger brothers and sisters can write a letter and big brothers and sisters can drop the letter in Santa’s mailbox.

Thank you so much to the parents who have supported the Angel Tree. Those children who receive your gifts at Christmas time will be very happy indeed. You have all been very generous.

We will still collect gifts for Sister Carina to distribute to the needy at Christmas time, so if you missed out on the Angel Tree and you have a small gift please wrap it with a tag that says who it would be suitable for: male or female and the age of the child and place it under our tree. Thanks for your support.

Bernie Hall, our show director, staff and of course the children, have been working very hard on the 'Noah' musical. Not long to go now with the opening show at 1pm on Tuesday. I am really looking forward to it. Tickets are selling fast so make sure you come and get tickets from the school office soon.

On Friday we have been invited to participate in the Ranolf Street Cyway official opening. See flyer below.

Have a great week everyone.

RegardsDavid Macmillan, Principal.

SCHOOL PRODUCTION - NOAH THE MUSICAL. A Monica Moore Production.Production Up-Date:Tickets for the school production are now available for purchase at the school office. Preschoolers (sitting on a parents' knee are free) all other tickets $5 per person. The performance times are Tuesday 11 December 1pm and 6.30pm and Wednesday 1pm and 6.30pm. The two evening performances are nearly sold out so .....!

Class Costumes:

The children in the production need to start looking at home for these to wear: (COULD STUDENTS PLEASE BRING THEIR CLOTHING IN A NAMED PLASTIC BAG AND LEAVE WITH THEIR CLASS TEACHER.)

Rooms 1 & 2 BoysJeans- preferably blue or black

Rooms 1 & 2 GirlsBlack leggings/tights

Rooms 3 & 4Tough street people-casual clothes from home, but rolled up sleeves, a bandana if you have one, no shorts.

Rooms 11 & 13Ordinary street people - large variety of casual clothes to represent old people and young kids, mums and dads, dress hats.

Rooms 14 & 15Black/dark leggings/black jeans/or black shorts

Room 12Black/dark jeans/leggings/tights

Kakano and Manuka ChildrenA variety of animals - so animal ears, costumes. Source as much as possible from home.

Thanking you.Bernie Hall

Thank you so much everyone for supporting Angel Tree and children in our Rotorua community. All gift tags have now been redeemed. If anyone still wishes to contribute, cash would be appreciated for wrapping paper etc. God bless you all.

From our Director of Religious Studies

The busy season has begun. Christmas is getting closer-but now we are in the time of Advent. Advent is about preparation and waiting.So what is Advent? It is the season that lasts for four weeks, beginning four weeks before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve. Advent leads up to Christmas. It is a time to reflect, pray and think about the significance of what is coming. The Advent wreath contains 4 candles. All of the candles are purple except the third (which is rose).The symbolic meanings of the candles can vary but they are often:1. Hope — expectation of what is to come and sometimes prophecy2. Love — sometimes called the Bethlehem Candle3. Joy — this rose candle is often called Mary’s Candle4. Peace — it can often be called the Angel’s Candle

Make time to attend Church these holidays.

Bernie Hall, Director of Religious Studies.

OUR CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY OF NATE ROWE-HAWKINS (ROOM 18B) ON THE LOSS OF THEIR NAN WHO PASSED AWAY IN THE WEEKEND. OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU.

BLESSINGS TO THE PRASAD FAMILY ON THE SAFE ARRIVAL OF A NEW BABY BOY TO THE HOUSEHOLD. (ARMAAN ROOM 18)

HeadphonesAll children in Y3-6 need a set of headphones. We currently have 2 options available at the School Office if anyone needs a set or to replace a set. Basic headphones are $6.50 and currently, we have limited numbers of a special deal for some Panasonic Headphones that are $13 (this option usually retails for $34.99 - first in, first served!)

Chromebook DealsIf anyone is looking to purchase a Chromebook you may wish to check out the following deals. Remember a basic Chromebook is all that is needed.

STUDENT BANKING:PLEASE NOTE THAT THE LAST DAY FOR STUDENT BANKING WILL BE TOMORROW, THURSDAY 6 DECEMBER.**

SCHOOL TRYATHLON: 14 DECEMBER11 - 12.30AM YEAR 3 - 6 CHILDREN1.30PM YEAR 1 AND 2 CHILDREN.PARENTS ARE NEEDED TO SUPPORT THIS EVENT AT SCHOOL. PLEASE CONTACT LORNA DOBSON IN ROOM 6 IF YOU CAN HELP, OR EMAIL LORNAD@STMARYSROTORUA.SCHOOL.NZ

SATURDAY 8 DECEMBER : ROSARY FOR LIFE-ST MICHAELS CHURCHTHIS COMING SATURDAY, ROSARY WILL BE HELD AT ST MICHAELS CHURCH COMMENCING AT 3PM. AT 4.20PM THE YOUTH WILL LEAD THEIR MYSTERIES OF THE ROSARY. IF ANYONE FROM ST MARY'S SCHOOL WOULD LIKE TO LEAD A DECADE PLEASE CONTACT GABRIELLE KILKELLY.

OUTSTANDING ACTIVITY FEES:WITH ONLY A FEW MORE WEEKS OF SCHOOL LEFT, COULD THOSE WITH OUTSTANDING FEES PLEASE SETTLE THESE. WE DO NOT WANT TO CARRY THESE OVERDUE BALANCES OVER TO 2019, SO PAYMENT WOULD BE APPRECIATED. EMAIL IF YOU NEED CLARIFICATION OF ANY FEES : ADMIN@STMARYSROTORUA.SCHOOL.NZ

Mark your Calendars...Our 2019 Gala will be happening on 7th March 2019.Funds raised will go towards the extension and development of the car park on Seddon Street.If you wish to help in any way please phone Renee Cleaver 021902530